'apostleship' originates from Greek and Old English elements: the noun 'apostle' ultimately from Greek 'apostolos' (ἀπόστολος), where 'apo-' meant 'away/from' and 'stello' (or root related to 'stolos') related to 'send' or 'messenger', and the suffix '-ship' from Old English 'scipe' meaning 'state, condition, or office'.

'apostleship' developed through Latin and Old/Middle English. Greek 'apostolos' passed into Late Latin as 'apostolus' and Old English/Middle English adopted forms like 'apostel' plus the native suffix '‑scipe/‑ship', producing Middle English forms (e.g. 'apostelship') that eventually became modern English 'apostleship'.

Initially it referred to being 'one sent' (a messenger) and the role associated with that; over time it came to denote specifically the office, mission, or authority of an apostle in Christian contexts, which is its primary modern sense.